Thursday, April 2, 1998 | 10:44 a.m.
THE MINISTER OF DEFENSE for the Green Bay Packers, Reggie White, sure stirred up the Wisconsin State Legislature and sportswriters over the country last week. His speech before the lawmakers also cost him a potential job with CBS Sports and will probably result in his playing another year or two in the NFL. This isn't the kind of news the opposing quarterbacks want to hear.
I watched White's remarks twice on television and didn't see anything mean or nasty about his words or delivery. He's not a mean man, and he's not a racist. Of course, neither was Jimmy "The Greek" Snyder, whom CBS fired for "insensitive" remarks about how large numbers of outstanding black athletes are the result of breeding healthy slaves. Similar remarks were made since then by a black college coach, but no big issue was made of his ideas. This could be because he is fortunate and doesn't work for CBS.
The gay community was upset because White resents their comparing their plight to that of racial minorities. I began a column six years ago: "Sorry about that, I can't buy the argument which favorably compares the recruitment of gays into the military with the long-overdue racial integration of the Armed Forces by President Harry Truman. There is very little, if any, relationship between the two acts. The only similarity is that both actions can be considered change." This drew both negative and positive comments.
White told his audience that "homosexuality is a decision, it's not a race. People from all different ethnic backgrounds live in this lifestyle. But people from all different ethnic backgrounds also are liars and cheaters and malicious and back-stabbing." What really lit the fire that burned the Packer was when he got over into the area of morality and declared homosexuality a sin. Sin and praying are Reggie's business, as he is an ordained minister. This gives him license to publicly stray into those minefields that the rest of us are afraid to enter because we have no such license.
Was White mean or nasty about his treatment of homosexuality? The Associated Press reports the following: "'I've often had people ask me, 'Would you allow a homosexual to be your friend? Yes, I will,' White said. 'And the reason I will is because I know that that person has problems. If I can minister to those problems, I will. But the Bible strictly speaks against it.'"
If taken out of context, several things said by White could be considered inflammatory to both gays and racial minorities. The Associated Press reports: "White told the Assembly that it offends him when homosexuals try to compare their plight to that of blacks, who were enslaved largely because their skin color made them stand out in white society,' he said.
"Whites could not enslave other whites because they blended in. They couldn't enslave American Indians because they 'knew the territory, and the Indians knew how to sneak up on people,' he said.
"White said he has thought about why God created different races. Each race has certain gifts, he said.
"Blacks are gifted at worship and celebration, White said.
"'If you go to a black church, you see people jumping up and down because they really get into it,' he said.
"Whites are good at organization, White said.
"'You guys do a good job of building businesses and things of that nature, and you know how to tap into money,' he said.
"'Hispanics were gifted in family structure, and you can see a Hispanic person, and they can put 20, 30 people in one home.'
"The Japanese and other Asians are inventive, and 'can turn a television into a watch,' White said. Indians are gifted in spirituality, he said.
"'When you put all of that together, guess what it makes: It forms a complete image of God,' White said.
"White said after his speech that his comments were about coming together as a society and were not meant to stereotype the races."
Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys, interpreted what he saw White trying to do. Jones said, "I saw him wrap his point up. He's a genuine person. He didn't in any way intend to be demeaning to anyone, in my mind."
David Smith, speaking for a gay and lesbian political group, didn't see it in the same light and said his remarks had jeopardized any future White might have had in broadcasting sports. Even the Milwaukee chapter of the NAACP took a walk on White.
J.A. Adande, writing in the Los Angeles Times, really took after White in a long column. Adande commented: "White received an invitation to speak to the Assembly by Speaker Scott Jensen (R-Waukesha), and he blew it. It's bad enough to spew this ignorance before the media, but to do it on the floor of a legislative body makes it even worse." This shows Adande's ignorance of legislators and the functions of state legislatures. White's address was probably the most colorful talk they will hear during this or any other session. It was most appropriate that they acted shocked, because this is an election year.
The Minister of Defense has probably learned that a state legislature is not the place for a morality play, and he may think about confining most of his religious beliefs to his daily life and only speak about them at home and from the pulpit. But I wouldn't bet on it. He has made it clear that he didn't become a minister to please everybody. As for CBS, he told writer George Vecsey, "Don't re-evaluate me. Forget about me. I don't need your money." As for his remarks before the legislators, he told Vecsey, "What people missed was the message. I was discussing the gifts people have. It's just like a marriage. People bring different gifts to the marriage."
Personally, I think it's a real shame that football fans will be denied hearing his views on CBS. Then again, maybe it's just as well, because now we can happily watch him in action on the playing field for another couple of years.
Whatever happens, it's time to call the dogs off the heels of a man who gave a speech that came from his heart and was delivered without rancor.
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